Garage Servicing Costs
Discussion
I'm curious what I should expect to pay an independent garage for a service.
Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
It seems steep to me but I do all my own servicing. Oil and filters would be less than £60 from a motor factors. A garage buying oil in bulk would be a fair bit cheaper.
Is DIY an option for you?
Not sure why it needs engine flush and fuel treatments, not a normally charged service item.
But bear in mind a garage has overheads and wages to pay and also needs to make a profit, otherwise why are they in business?
Is DIY an option for you?
Not sure why it needs engine flush and fuel treatments, not a normally charged service item.
But bear in mind a garage has overheads and wages to pay and also needs to make a profit, otherwise why are they in business?
DIY not really an option (time taken to learn what to do/check the issue, rather than competence!).
Completely understand about garage being a business, needing to make profits etc. Don't think they're trying to rip me off, but just seemed a little expensive - maybe they're competitive for compared to main dealer, but not when running an old car like ours.
Prob need to have a word prior to next service about keeping the cost down (maybe skip the extra treatments), and to agree the cost in advance (which I really should have done!)
Completely understand about garage being a business, needing to make profits etc. Don't think they're trying to rip me off, but just seemed a little expensive - maybe they're competitive for compared to main dealer, but not when running an old car like ours.
Prob need to have a word prior to next service about keeping the cost down (maybe skip the extra treatments), and to agree the cost in advance (which I really should have done!)
I remember being surprised (in a bad way) at how much independents wanted to service an old Mazda v a main dealer last year.
The gap feels like it's closed.
I guess their argument would be the time and labour is the same regardless of how old the car is and ditto the labour?
I always thought main dealers offering reduced price servicing for older cars was just an admission that they charge a premium for having a new car.
I just had a first year service on a Mazda 2 at a main dealer and that was £166.
Add on a fuel system treatment and an air filter and it's probably not far off.
The gap feels like it's closed.
I guess their argument would be the time and labour is the same regardless of how old the car is and ditto the labour?
I always thought main dealers offering reduced price servicing for older cars was just an admission that they charge a premium for having a new car.
I just had a first year service on a Mazda 2 at a main dealer and that was £166.
Add on a fuel system treatment and an air filter and it's probably not far off.
Where about are you?
I would expect to pay a lot more in the middle of a city centre and/or SE than I would in a lower cost area.
.
A previous poster commented that the garage will get oil cheaper in bulk - of course they do, but they will (rightly) expect to mark up anything they sell on - that's what a business does...
I would bin the "motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments" and save a few wasted £s
I would expect to pay a lot more in the middle of a city centre and/or SE than I would in a lower cost area.
.
A previous poster commented that the garage will get oil cheaper in bulk - of course they do, but they will (rightly) expect to mark up anything they sell on - that's what a business does...
I would bin the "motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments" and save a few wasted £s
OverSteery said:
Where about are you?
A previous poster commented that the garage will get oil cheaper in bulk - of course they do, but they will (rightly) expect to mark up anything they sell on - that's what a business does...
North west - small town.A previous poster commented that the garage will get oil cheaper in bulk - of course they do, but they will (rightly) expect to mark up anything they sell on - that's what a business does...
Certainly not against them marking things up they've bought (somewhat!).
My wife's V40 is in for a medium service and MOT today, that's £250 from a well established family run indy as I have a mate who runs it.
I probably could do the oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter etc but would I know about the other bits they're checking for me, probably not plus I haven't got 2 hours plus to do it.
And after trying to change the battery recently and not having the OBD to accommodate that nor reset the service indicator, I think its money well spent.
I probably could do the oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter etc but would I know about the other bits they're checking for me, probably not plus I haven't got 2 hours plus to do it.
And after trying to change the battery recently and not having the OBD to accommodate that nor reset the service indicator, I think its money well spent.
janon said:
I'm curious what I should expect to pay an independent garage for a service.
Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
I used to own a small indi garage, the running costs are far higher than most realize, rent rates waste disposal equipment plus diagnostic kit, wages etc all add up, those specializing in a make of car often have slightly less costs due to less equipment needed, but not hugely.Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
For an example my rates were almost as much as my rent every month.
It used to be a good way to make a living, but not so much anymore.
The part that made the most profit was the mot side of it, the general servicing etc not so much.
I got out of it for this reason, it was becoming harder to undercut main dealer pricing. as they often operate the service side at a very small profit, or even a loss.
richhead said:
janon said:
I'm curious what I should expect to pay an independent garage for a service.
Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
I used to own a small indi garage, the running costs are far higher than most realize, rent rates waste disposal equipment plus diagnostic kit, wages etc all add up, those specializing in a make of car often have slightly less costs due to less equipment needed, but not hugely.Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
For an example my rates were almost as much as my rent every month.
It used to be a good way to make a living, but not so much anymore.
The part that made the most profit was the mot side of it, the general servicing etc not so much.
I got out of it for this reason, it was becoming harder to undercut main dealer pricing. as they often operate the service side at a very small profit, or even a loss.
He was really pissed off with snap on when his tablet failed and they refused to let him have the updates put on the replacement tablet even though he'd only just paid for the latest and could demonstrate to his local snap on man the tablet was dead. I think the last ones he'd bought were something like £1,500.
heisthegaffer said:
When my pal was telling me about the diagnostic kit cost alone, I couldn't believe it.
He was really pissed off with snap on when his tablet failed and they refused to let him have the updates put on the replacement tablet even though he'd only just paid for the latest and could demonstrate to his local snap on man the tablet was dead. I think the last ones he'd bought were something like £1,500.
think thats bad try insurance costs, they are mad nowHe was really pissed off with snap on when his tablet failed and they refused to let him have the updates put on the replacement tablet even though he'd only just paid for the latest and could demonstrate to his local snap on man the tablet was dead. I think the last ones he'd bought were something like £1,500.
The parts are not expensive though premium oil is about £40 for 5 litres, these days but can be had for far less.
The problem is that garages can't go on ebay, they have tto use proper brands, for peace of mind.
I used to pay about £200 for a Fiesta ST minor service and the same on a Vauxhall Insignia. I once price-compared the Ford dealership with an independent and the latter were more expensive.
The problem is that garages can't go on ebay, they have tto use proper brands, for peace of mind.
I used to pay about £200 for a Fiesta ST minor service and the same on a Vauxhall Insignia. I once price-compared the Ford dealership with an independent and the latter were more expensive.
janon said:
I'm curious what I should expect to pay an independent garage for a service.
Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
Seems reasonable to me for a reasonably comprehensive service. Local garage recently charged £210 for an annual service which seemed a little steep (especially when compared to the cars value).
The car is Japanese, old (15 years), nothing special, but is reliable. Having said that, it's also my wife's, which she needs for work and to drive the kids round (so needs to stay reliable and safe).
Service included oil, lubricants. oil filter, air filter, motor flush and fuel system cleaner treatments. Not sure what else in terms of labour, but assume it covered all the same checks a main dealer would do too. Cost seemed to be split roughly equally between service charge and parts.
Is £210 a reasonable amount for this?
If not reasonable, what should I be expecting a garage to do for a service (with reliability/safety in mind), when calling around for quotes in the future?
What aspects do you think are expensive? Labour rate? Cost of fluids?
janon said:
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: I always thought main dealers offering reduced price servicing for older cars was just an admission that they charge a premium for having a new car.
I remember thinking that with Toyota, just as the warranty had run out!richhead said:
The part that made the most profit was the mot side of it, the general servicing etc not so much.
Is that as a result of spin-off work? Surely doing MOTs, even for the full price, is much less profitable than other work? That said, I was amazed when the Merc indie I use (a 2 man band) put in an MOT test rig a couple if years ago. He used to use a truck place down the road but said it was a faff taking cars back and forth,richhead said:
I got out of it for this reason, it was becoming harder to undercut main dealer pricing. as they often operate the service side at a very small profit, or even a loss.
One of my neighbours used to do accounts for a local Peugeot dealer and she said service covered all the dealerships fixed costs and made them the most money. They made nothing on new car sales, buttons on used, bit on parts and loads on service. Biggest problem they had was getting and keeping mechanics - being one down really hurt them.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff